The Buffalo Bills are saying goodbye to a veteran linebacker who was pressed into starting duty last season and adding a promising player who missed the 2024 season with an injury.
The team announced on August 6 that they waived linebacker Baylon Spector with an injury designation, ending his three-year stint in Buffalo. Spector had been struck by injuries often during his time with the team, with the latest coming just days before his release.
As a replacement, the Bills added a former Army linebacker who had an unfortunate start to his NFL career.
Baylon Spector Went Down at Practice This Week
Spector was initially hurt at the team’s practice on Monday, with reporter Dan Fetes noting that he had to be helped off the field by a trainer.
“Baylon Spector came up limping after the last play. Heâs now working into the tent with a trainer,” Fetes shared in a post on X.
The Bills filled some of the void left by Spector’s release, announcing on Wednesday that they signed linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo. The 6-foot-2 linebacker had spent time with the New York Jets last season but was hurt in the team’s first preseason game and missed the season. He was waived by the Jets earlier this offseason.
As the team noted, Ciarlo had a strong collegiate career.
“Ciarlo, a second-year NFL player, spent his collegiate career at Army West Point (2020-2023),” the team noted. “Ciarlo was a team captain for the 2023 season and recorded 58 tackles and 5.5 tackles for a loss. He is from Ringwood, N.J and attended St. Joseph Regional (USMAPS).”
The Bills used the majority of their draft picks bulking up their defense but did not add any linebackers, making Ciarlo one of the few newcomers to the unit.
Ciarlo could have an opportunity to compete for a spot both on defense and special teams, as Spector spent considerable time on the team’s return units.
Another Linebacker Stepping Up
With Spector out, there could be a bigger opportunity for a rising star of the linebacking corps. Buffalo native Joe Andreessen was the surprise of the 2024 season, joining the team initially on a rookie minicamp tryout before eventually earning an invite back to training camp. He earned a spot on the active roster, playing mostly on special teams with some defensive work mixed in.
Talbot predicted that Andreessen could see an even bigger role in the coming season.
âJoe Andreessenâs strong spring answered a lot of questions about the depth of Buffaloâs linebackers,â Talbot wrote. âTerrel Bernard and Matt Milano provide Buffalo with an excellent 1-2 punch at linebacker, with Dorian Williams and Andreessen offering strong depth. Ulofoshio claims the final spot and takes on a big special teams role.â
ESPNâs Alaina Getzenberg concurred, writing that Andreessen had the potential to be the biggest surprise for the team in the coming season.
âLargely a special teams player as a rookie last year, Andreessen was signed after trying out at rookie minicamp, and he then earned a roster spot. He made a significant statement going into his second season with his performance during the mandatory minicamp,â Getzenberg wrote.
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